Life Member
Inducted 1966
Geoff O’Halloran (‘Chesty’) Hyde began his long career (216 games) with ‘the Blacks’ in 1955, making the A1 side in his first year. ‘Chesty’ stayed in the A1 team until 1963 when he departed and played one season with Walkerville. He returned in 1964 to Captain-Coach the Bs (the A3 side) for two seasons, leading the side to undefeated Premier in 1965 – a magnificent achievement, being the Club’s first ‘B’ grade Premiership in the SAAFL.
Medical practice in the country prevented him from playing regularly with ‘the Blacks’ after this, but he did make spasmodic appearances during 1966 and 1967.
By returning as Captain-Coach, ‘Chesty’ became one of the few graduates to play for the Club. He became the first player to play 200 games for ‘the Blacks’.
‘Chesty’ was Vice-captain of the A1s for three years from 1959 to 1961 which automatically meant being a selector and being on the Football Committee. During his career ‘Chesty’ played in three A1 Premiership sides (and two losing Grand Finals).
‘Chesty’ played six consecutive Inter-Varsity sides from 1955 to 1960, being Captain in the absence of G.E. Krieger in 1959 and Vice-captain in 1960. During this time he gained All-Australian University selection in 1959 and was awarded Club Letters in 1956 and a Full Blue in 1957.
A State Amateur career for ‘Chesty’ began in 1958 against Victoria and continued until 1962. In 1962 he was Captain of the State team which played the Combined Universities in Adelaide (as a graduate he could not play Inter-Varsity). He was Captain of the side in place of A.R. (Tony) Clarkson for the Carnival in Melbourne, although he did not play due to injury.
Geoff O’Halloran Hyde was made an Honorary Life Member of the University Football Club in 1966 – he is one of the true characters of the Club over its illustrious history.
C.H.A. (Carl) Meyer, the On dit correspondent for 1962, wrote an article on September 24, 1962 previewing the A1 side’s chances in the Finals. On describing G. O’Halloran Hyde’s return to the side he wrote,
“Another man coming back at the last moment is South Australian Captain, Dr ‘Chesty’ Hyde, who makes a rush at football packs and Children’s Hospital nurses with the urgent insistence of one who is not to be denied. It was great news to hear that he was fit again and back in the colours.”
Great friend Denis Harrison adds…………
“One of the great club-men.
The is a list of his achievements with the club doesn’t go anywhere near the great contribution his presence actually made.”
At Chesty’s funeral John Sangster came up to me (Denis) and said –
“ Denis, just how lucky were we to start our days with the Blacks with Allen Greer and Chesty Hyde at the club?”